Predictive Cruise Control With Dynamic Minimum Speed Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Predictive cruise control systems face limitations in achieving energy savings while maintaining traffic flow and road safety, as they often require broad allowable speed ranges that can disrupt other road users and increase energy consumption due to rigid minimum speed thresholds.
Innovation Solution
A method for adjusting the minimum speed threshold of predictive cruise control based on real-time traffic assessments, allowing for more flexible vehicle speed variations without disturbing other road users, by determining the minimum allowable vehicle speed and adjusting it when necessary, using sensors and communication systems to improve accuracy and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the minimum speed threshold of predictive cruise control is set to a higher value to avoid disturbing other road users, then traffic flow stability is improved, but energy consumption increases due to reduced ability to exploit gravitational force on downgrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the minimum speed threshold adjustable rather than fixed. The control device dynamically adapts the minimum speed threshold based on detected traffic situations - using higher thresholds when other vehicles are present to maintain traffic stability, and lowering thresholds when the road is clear to maximize energy efficiency by exploiting gravitational force on downgrades.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of minimum speed threshold based on traffic conditions. By monitoring the presence and speed of other road users, the system adjusts the minimum speed threshold parameter to optimize the balance between energy efficiency and traffic flow stability, allowing the vehicle to recover more kinetic energy on downgrades when safe to do so.
2Loss of energy
If the minimum speed threshold is lowered to enable greater energy recovery on downgrades, then energy efficiency improves, but traffic flow disruption and road safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring traffic conditions through sensors that detect other road users. Based on this feedback, the control device adjusts the minimum speed threshold - maintaining higher thresholds when other vehicles are detected nearby to prevent traffic disruption and safety issues, while allowing lower thresholds when the road is clear to maximize energy recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the minimum speed threshold based on real-time traffic conditions. When sensors detect other road users within a critical distance or speed differential, the threshold is raised to prevent harmful effects. When the road is clear, the threshold is lowered to enable greater energy recovery through controlled speed reductions on downgrades.
3Device complexity
If a fixed minimum speed threshold is used in predictive cruise control, then system complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different traffic situations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the minimum speed threshold parameter dynamically based on detected traffic conditions. The control device monitors other road users and adjusts the threshold accordingly - using higher values when traffic is present and lower values when the road is clear. This provides adaptability to different situations while maintaining relatively simple control logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static minimum speed threshold to a dynamic one that adapts to traffic conditions. The control device automatically adjusts the threshold based on sensor input regarding other road users, enabling the predictive cruise control to adapt its behavior to different traffic situations without requiring complex manual intervention or overly complicated control algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
A control device and a method for controlling a predictive cruise control of a vehicle. The method comprises, based on an assessment of a traffic situation behind the vehicle and a current set speed, determining a minimum allowable vehicle (v_a). The method further comprises, in response to a determination that the determined minimum allowable speed (v_a) is lower than a currently selected minimum speed threshold (v_min) and a predetermined condition is fulfilled, adjusting the currently selected minimum speed threshold (v_min) to correspond to the determined allowable vehicle speed (v_a). A predictive cruise control and a vehicle, comprising the control device, are also provided, as well as a computer program and a computer-readable medium.